Findspot record TQ 92 NE 23 - Post-Medieval finds at Brookland

The trench revealed a high density of finds, mostly dating to the C17, although no apparent concentration was noted. A number of complete clay pipe bowls (most C17) were found, suggesting that the field has not been ploughed since their deposition. A high percentage of pottery (C17) consisted of German Stoneware (including Cologne/Frechen & Westerwald). The MD sherds were mainly small and abraded. Possible explanations for the amount of finds could be the existence of a settlement nearby, or that the field was the site of a fair. (1)
Further work was undertaken here during the watching brief. A metal detector survey was completed. A large no. of coins and non-ferrous metalwork items were recovered. The majority of metalwork was of C17 date, some MD, Tudor and Georgian material also. It seems that the fair started in the Medieval period with the focus nearer the church, the fair later expanded or shifted N. The absence of C18 material suggests the fair was no longer active on this site. (2)

<1> Archaeology South-East, 1995, A259 Brookland Diversion, Kent: Archaeological Evaluation, A259 Diversion SEAS (Unpublished document). SKE7799.

<2> Archaeology South-East, 1995, A259 Brookland Diversion: Watching Brief, Post-Ex Assessment and Future Proposals 1995, A259 Brookland diversion, An arch. watching brief, post-exc. assessment and proposals. S.E.A.S. 1995 (Unpublished document). SKE7800.